Quitting could be life saving, say doctors

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Mark Latham's decision to quit politics could save his life,
doctors said today.

The Opposition leader resigned today amid persistent questions
over his ability to head the Labor Party following an attack of
pancreatitis over the Christmas break - his second bout in recent
months.

Mr Latham, who also has battled testicular cancer in the past,
said he had decided to step down in an attempt to preserve his
health.

Sufferers of "excruciatingly painful" pancreatitis often were
forced to step back from a busy career to save their long-term
health or even their lives, Australian Medical Association vice
president Dr Mukesh Haikerwal said.

"Sometimes they may want to do more than they're able and they
have to be realistic about ... the long-term consequences of
continuing with something that may harm their longer-term
survival," he said.

"Between 10 and 20 per cent of people can die."

Mr Latham said he had found pancreatitis "hard to overcome" and
"incompatible with the demands and stresses of a parliamentary
life".

Attacks of pancreatitis - an inflammation of the gland that
produces digestive enzymes and insulin - are most commonly brought
on by gallstones or alcohol.

"During an attack, the whole area's very tender, very sore,
extreme excruciating pain, so much so that people can't move,
sometimes for days," Dr Haikerwal explained.

"You can't feed them or give them anything to drink because it
would then cause them to hurt even more."

Repeated attacks could lead to very serious complications, Gut
Foundation president Professor Terry Bolin said.

"Each attack takes its toll so that the more attacks you have
the less chance you have of the pancreas returning to absolutely
normal function," Prof Bolin said.

"If there was a complication like a cyst or an abscess, (it)
usually would mean you'd be in hospital with intensive treatment,
and there is a mortality associated with that."

Chronic pancreatitis also often led to diabetes, Dr Haikerwal
said, and may cause internal bleeding that could lead to a serious
- sometimes fatal - infection.

"It can be quite sinister," he said.

Other high profile Australians had suffered the condition, Prof
Bolin said, but usually chose not to publicise their health
complaint.

"People in the past, when asked if they'd like to go public,
have said 'Thank you very much Terry, but we won't do it'," he
said.